Ernie Wilkins

On a warm, July day in 1961 Ernie Wilkins came to Count Basie gig at Birdland with a newly completed manuscript in his hand. Despite the fact that it was the middle of summer the band played it. This chart has been transcribed from the live recording. Basie starts off with a 64-bar solo based on an 8-bar chord progression. In the studio version there are only 16 bars upfront. Basie's piano intro from the studio recording has been written out as it serves the chart well. Chord changes for the tenor sax solo have been included rather than writing out the solo. There are no sax doubles. Learn More